This spring, 29 local nonprofit and community organizations received a total of $123,432 in support for a variety of programs and projects aimed at serving the needs of the community. Funding was made possible from donor generosity to the DeKalb County Community Foundation and the power of endowment.

Available in the spring and fall each year, Community Needs Grants are available to eligible organizations in DeKalb County. Grant applications align with five grantmaking interest areas: Arts and Culture, Education, Community Development, Environment & Animal Welfare, and Health & Human Services. A grants committee, consisting of Community Foundation volunteer board members and staff, review each application. Grant recommendations receive final approval from the full Foundation Board of Directors.

Spring 2019 Community Needs Grants:

• Barb City Manor Retirement Home – $8,070 to replace a commercial washing machine
• Community Coordinated Child Care – $3,500 to purchase equipment for CPR training
• Cor Cantiamo – $1,500 to purchase music for the 2019-20 concert season
• DeKalb County Court Services – $3,000 to purchase a car which will be used to transport opioid addicts to and from treatment
• Equine Dreams – $4,000 to provide funding toward phase 2 of an expansion project that includes improved access to an indoor arena for individuals with special needs to utilize in mounted equine-assisted therapy lessons
• Family Service Agency of DeKalb County – $30,000 to support renovations on a new facility ($75,000 over three years)
• Genoa-Kingston High School – $1,750 to purchase equipment to create an animal science laboratory for students
• HarmonEssence Chorus – $1,500 to support the purchase of management software
• Hinckley Public Library District – $900 to assist in purchasing a new collection of educational library materials
• Hope Haven – $7,619 to update/replace equipment and furniture
• Indian Valley Vocational Center – $1,750 to purchase a Sit-to-Stand Lift for IVVC Certified Nurse Assistant Training program
• Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association – $3,068 to purchase equipment for a multi-sensory engagement room
• NIU STEAM – $1,500 to purchase Augmented/Virtual Reality systems for educational purposes
• NIU-Department of Police & Public Safety – $2,000 to expand the Rape Aggression Defense program with training and equipment
• North Elementary School/Sycamore Community Unit School District #427 – $1,000 to replace shelving in a renovated library
• Open Door Rehabilitation Center – $7,000 to create a new learning space
• Pay-It-Forward House – $2,200 to provide upgrades to the bedrooms and for the purchase of essential equipment
• Randy’s Rescue – $2,000 to build two new outdoor enclosures to accommodate new equine intakes
• Sandwich Fire Department Inc – $2,700 to purchase tactical equipment and medical supplies to equip fours medics
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul – St. Mary/Christ the Teacher Conference – $1,200 to purchase items that will enhance the accessibility and presentation of food items
• Somonauk Summer Recreation Corp – $5,000 to install batting cages at City Park in Somonauk
• Mary Catholic School – DeKalb – $2,100 to install door closers and heat detectors for fire safety
• Sudden Cardiac-death Awareness Research Foundation – $4,500 to purchase Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to be strategically placed throughout the community
• Sycamore High School Art Department – $1,875 to purchase pottery wheels and supplies for a ceramic arts classroom
• Trinity Lutheran Church-Genoa – $2,500 to assist with the purchase of supplies and training for a comfort dog
• Village of Kirkland – $10,000 to begin construction of a new community center
• Village of Somonauk Police Department – $3,000 to purchase mobile data terminals
• Voluntary Action Center of DeKalb County – $5,700 to install LED lighting
• Waterman Enhancement Group – $2,500 to complete the third phase of a park development

One of several grantmaking programs at the Foundation, Community Needs Grants receive funding through community impact funds, field of interest funds, and donor advised funds. Donations to any fund at the Community Foundation can be made online at dekalbccf.org/donate, or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178. For questions or additional information on grants, please contact Grants Director Tiffany McQueen Lewis at 815-748-5383 or tiffany@dekalbccf.org.

Pictured above: Recipients gather for a check presentation during the 2019 Spring Community Needs Grant reception.